The Zojila Tunnel, a 14.2 km long road tunnel connecting Sonmarg and Drass in the Himalayas, is now under construction and expected to be completed by 2024, according to union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari. In a tweet, he stated that the development of this historic flagship project is moving forward quickly.

“Zojila Tunnel – The 14.5 km long strategically important, landmark signature project is progressing at a fast pace and is scheduled to be completed by 2024,” said Gadkari in a tweet.

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The road tunnel project began in 2018 and is still ongoing. This tunnel, combined with the 6.5-kilometer Z-Morh Tunnel, would provide year-round road connectivity between Srinagar and Kargil, which is currently closed for seven months (November-May) due to heavy snowfall and avalanches throughout the winter. When the tunnel is finished, it will improve traffic connectivity and accessibility between the two regions, even in bad weather. In addition, the travel time between Sonmarg and Drass will be greatly decreased.

Crossing the 15-kilometer-long Zojila pass, which connects Drass, Kargil, and Ladakh, currently takes more than three hours. Because the territory is close to the Line of Control (LOC) and subject to hostile acts, the road project is not only one of the most important projects in terms of civilian connection in the region, but it is also a strategic imperative for the army. 

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The Zojila Tunnel was originally scheduled to open in September 2026. However, in September of this year, union minister Nitin Gadkari examined the tunnel’s construction progress and set a new timetable for the project’s completion of December 2023, which is far sooner than the original deadline.